Virat Kohli has reportedly decided to retire from Test cricket. The former India cricket team captain has also informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision. And as expected, the BCCI was shocked. Not just because he’s one of the greatest Test batters India has ever had but also because he wanted to name him India’s Test captain once again.
BCCI wanted Kohli back as India Test captain
Three days ago, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket. But it’s believed that BCCI and Rohit had been talking about it for some time. So even before he hung up his boots, the BCCI were thinking about his replacement as India’s Test captain. And just like they had done in Australia, they eyed making Kohli skipper.
“It is true that selectors did think about having Kohli as India skipper for the England series,” a BCCI source told PTI.
But much to their dismay, not only has Kohli denied becoming India’s Test captain once again. He’s actually decided to retire from red-ball cricket. This puts a wrench in BCCI’s plan.
Shubman Gill to be Rohit Sharma’s replacement
It’s true they wanted Shubman Gill to eventually take over from Rohit in Test cricket. But Gill hasn’t found himself in the format. At least, not yet. BCCI hoped him to ease Gill into captaincy. England being your first assignment as skipper is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks.
But BCCI has no option now. They don’t want Jasprit Bumrah in a leadership role due to his fitness. KL Rahul’s age, 33, does him no good. Rishabh Pant’s form and captaincy haven’t been great. That leaves Gill. Ideally, they wanted Kohli as a stopgap option, but it doesn’t seem like that’s possible.
“This would have given Gill some time to grow into the leadership role, but at 25-and-a-half years of age, he is yet to hit his peak. Due to Bumrah’s fitness issues, Gill looks like the obvious choice for Ajit Agarkar’s committee,” the source added.
The post BCCI wanted to make Virat Kohli captain for India vs England Test series before his ‘retirement’ appeared first on Inside Sport India.